Olympic Silver Medallists China Eves Promise Much in Early Set of Pro League Matches

The China women’s hockey team sprang a ‘big surprise’ at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a spirited silver medal-winning performance – their performance in the first set of Pro League matches clearly showed that their Olympic campaign was no flash in the pan – the fact that they had finished runners-up in the Asian Champions Trophy in India with a second-string side also speaks a lot about their growing stature.

Read Enormity of the Comeback Task: Indian Fullback Gurjit Kaur

Launching their Pro League campaign in their own backyard – at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium, Hangzhou, the red-and-yellow brigade under celebrated Australian coach Alyson Annan nearly pulled off a regulation time win over Belgium but for latter’s two late goals that pushed the contest in a shootout where the hosts won over the world number three side 4-1 (2-2).

The world number six side subsequently rebounded from conceding a first minute goal to edge out world number seven England by the odd goal in three. Packed with several players such as Ou Zixia, Dan Wen, Zhong Jiaqi that orchestrated their success story at the Paris Olympics, China looked the part. The Chinese eves, however, went down to Belgium 1-2 in their second leg tie with all goals coming in the second half after a tightly fought opeining half.

Read Meet the Hockey Players Who Announced International Retirements in 2024

The Ou Zixia-captained Chinese side made shortwork of England 4-0 in their second leg tie – a game where they wrested the initiative slamming three first-half goals to ensure they top the points table with 8 points from four games.

Read India Are A Dangerous Side: Colin Batch

A strong start in the Pro League holds the key for every team and China eves have clearly demonstrated they are up for every challenge thrown at them irrespective of world rankings of the opposition.

Image Credit: FIH

–